The veteran center's first year in Dallas was mostly a bust, as he produced only 10 points in 38 games while trying to play through various injuries before he eventually underwent back surgery that ended his season in February. While Hanzal hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery, the original timetable potentially left him sidelined until December, leaving a big hole up the middle on the Stars' depth chart to begin the year. Even when he returns to action, Hanzal can't be counted on to stay in the lineup -- he's played more than 80 games in a season only once, back in 2009-10. The Stars need secondary scoring, though, so when he does suited up again, he'll likely get a long look on the second or third line in the hopes he'll rediscover the form that saw him rack up 41 points in 64 games three seasons ago in Arizona. Read Past Outlooks

ANALYSISHanzal, who missed the first 28 games due to a back injury, isn't dealing with any type of setback, but the Stars are playing for the second time in as many days and understandably don't want to tax the veteran center. Look for Hanzal to return Saturday for a road clash with the Avalanche.

Jan Levine looks at who's hot and who's not in the first week of the new hockey season, and, safe to say, the demise of Alexander Ovechkin has been greatly exaggerated.

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Hanzal's NHL career to this point has been marred by a relentless penchant for injury, and even though he actually cracked 70 games for the first time since 2009-10 last year, the result was an unimpressive 39 points accompanied by a minus-17 rating. He did, however, score at a noticeably better rate after being dealt to Minnesota from his long-time home in Arizona at the trade deadline -- 13 points in 20 games. The Stars saw enough there to sign the 30-year-old to a three-year deal, and he'll likely begin the season as the No. 3 center behind Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. This is the perfect role for Hanzal, who’s always excelled more as a checking-line center than a scorer, and playing on a deep team will take much of the pressure off him. Hanzal’s never gotten to share an NHL bench with the kind of star power Dallas boasts, but that means he'll have to deal with depth-line minutes and meager power-play time, though that reduced usage may at least help him get through the season in good health.

Hanzal had a career season with the ‘Yotes in 2015-16, registering 13 goals, 28 assists, 77 PIM and a respectable 126 hits. The 29-year-old also proved to be a threat on the man advantage, notching 13 total points (three markers and 10 helpers). The Czech only played in 64 games, which makes the numbers more impressive, but leaving owners wanting more. The No. 17 pick of 2005 just can’t stay healthy, which severely limits his upside each and every season. While the top-six role is secure, Hanzal can play with 40 points, but will almost assuredly underperform if he can’t stay on the ice.

Hanzal is coming off another season derailed by injury, as a back ailment that ultimately required surgery in January limited him to just 37 games. The big center has not played more than 65 games since 2009-10 -- his third NHL season. Now that Hanzal is 28 years old and perpetually banged up, it's unrealistic to expect a sudden offensive surge from him, as his rather modest total of 40 points in 2013-14 remains a career best. That said, Hanzal will likely see a lot of ice time due to the Coyotes' lack of existing pivot options, with a power-play role likely awaiting him as well. When healthy, Hanzal has at least shown that he's a capable power forward, combining big hit totals with some scoring that can add value in deeper leagues.

Hanzal set new career-highs in goals (15) and points (40) last season, but had difficulty staying healthy for the Coyotes. He missed more than a dozen games due to injury, which sabotaged a very hot start for the second year in a row, as he scored 34 points in his first 45 games. Quietly, Hanzal has become one the NHL's better power forwards, leveling more than 200 hits for the second time in his career. Among those players with more than 200 hits, only seven registered more points than Hanzal did. The 27-year-old also bested his previous top marks in shots, PIM and power-play points, all of which suggest a new echelon of production may still be in store. Hanzal will be a good option in leagues where his rough-and-tumble game fits with the depth fantasy players need at center or forward.

Hanzal got off to a hot start (10 points in his first 11 games) in 2012-13, but slowed significantly from that point on. He also struggled in the face-off circle, winning just 46.8 percent of his draws. Still, his final scoring pace (23 points in 39 games) was not too far from his 2011-12 mark of 34 points in 64 games. He plays an important role on the ice for the Coyotes and there's no reason to think he can't reach 15 goals and 40 points in 2013-14.

Hanzal recorded his best offensive output (34 points) since his rookie season (35 in 2007-08), yet he's hovered consistently around 30 points for much of his career. Hanzal is one of the Coyotes' most reliable producers and there's no reason to think his offensive output should drop off much despite the loss of Ray Whitney in free agency.

Hanzal, who is entering the final year of his contract with the Coyotes, only managed to play in 61 games last season, tallying 26 points (16 G, 10 A) to go along with a plus-4 rating and 54 PIMs. Despite playing in fewer games, it was the former first-round pick's best scoring season in his four-year career, though his assists dropped significantly. The 'Yotes are still looking to add some more pizazz to the center position, but it's not unreasonable to expect a 15-goal, 15-assist season with a few bonus sin bin minutes from Hanzal in 2011-12.

In 2009-10, Hanzal put up respectable, but not spectacular, numbers with 11 goals and 22 assists. Typically, he has been used as a defensive forward going up against the opponent's main stars. Any point from Hanzal is a bonus for a Coyotes' team that scores by committee. For 2010-11, expect more of the same.

The 2005 first-round pick showed flashes last season and finished with a respectable 31 points (11 goals, 20 assists) in 74 games for the Coyotes. Hanzal's season was a microcosm of Phoenix's season though. The young Czech started off the season on fire, then struggled through long stretches without notching a single point. And just like the Coyotes, Hanzal finished the season strong, enjoying a four-game point streak at the end of March. As can be said for many on the Phoenix roster, Hanzal's name is one to file away for future use.

In comparison to his rookie counterpart Peter Mueller, Hanzal had a slower transition to the NHL. However, he was still able to crack the top five of Coyotes scorers in 2007-2008 with 35 points (8G 27A). He improved defensively as the season wore on and his offensive production should come back in time. The only question mark this season is his return to the ice after having back surgery to repair a herniated disc. If he does make a successful return and his timing comes back quickly, he may improve upon his numbers due to being in better health. He could be a player to watch out for as the season wears on.

Hanzal is an absolute monster at 6-5 and 205 pounds, and this past season he played like a monster for Red Deer of the WHL. In 60 games Hanzal registered 85 points. The 2006-07 season was Hanzal's first full in North America so he probably needs a bit more seasoning before he plays in Phoenix. There were questions about Hanzal's desire when he was drafted in the first round (17th overall) in 2005, but after such a solid season, all those worries should be gone.

Hanzal has no fantasy value for the upcoming season, but could be a very good scorer when he does make the leap to the NHL.

Look waaaay up and you'll find Handzal, who is listed at somewhere between 6'3" and 6'5" and only 189 lbs. This skilled Czech can score but he is perceived to be a bit soft, taking five or six too many dives for the liking of scouts. A prototypical risk-reward kind of guy.

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Team wins in his return

CDallas Stars

December 7, 2018

Hanzal (back) made his season debut and recorded 12:12 of ice time against the Sharks on Friday, adding a single shot, hit and blocked shot in a 3-2 home victory.

Hanzal (back) traveled with the Stars for a four-game road trip that begins in Edmonton on Saturday, but Mike Heika of the Stars' official site writes that the veteran center is "probably a couple of weeks away" from his return.